WEEK 5

INTRODUCTION TO DACTYLOSCOPY

Dactyloscopy – (derived from the Latin words Dactyl = finger and Skopien – to study
or examine) is the practical application of the science of fingerprints.
(classification & identification)
Dactylography – is the scientific study of fingerprint as a means of identification.
Dactylomancy – is the scientific study of fingerprint for purposes of personality
interpretation.
Dermatoglyphics = is the science which deals with the study of skin pattern. It is derived
from two Greek words, Derma which means Skin and Glype which means
Carve.

Various Conditions of the finger:

a. Polydactyl =born with more than 10 fingers.
b. Macrodactyl = having enlarged finger.
c. Microdactyl = having small finger.
d. Ectodactyl = born with missing finger
e. Syndactyl = side fussion of the fingers.

Basic Principles of Fingerprint

1. Individuality
No two persons have the same fingerprint (based on Statistic Probability)
2. Infallibility
That fingerprint is a positive and reliable means of identification. It cannot be
easily be forged.
3. Constancy or permanency
That the friction ridge once fully developed its arrangement will remain the same
throughout man’s life.

Fingerprints
It is an impression design by the first joint of the fingers and thumb on smooth
surface through the media of ink, sweat or any substance capable of producing visibility.

Related Sciences to the Study of Fingerprint:

1. Chiroscopy – (Greek word “ Cheir” – a hand, “Skopien” –to examine) is the science
which deals with the study of the prints of the palms of the hand.
2. Podoscopy – (Greek word “Podo” – the foot, and Skopien – to examine)is the
science which deals with the study of the footprints.
3. Poroscopy – (Greek word “poros” – a pare, and “Skopien” – to examine) is the
scientific study of the arrangement of the sweat pores. (Edmond Locard- Father of
Poroscopy)
Edgeoscopy = study of the sides of the friction ridges..
Ridgeoscopy = study of ridges.

“Locard’s Principle” -- In every crime scene there leave traces, traces that will lead to
its author.
Phalange = is the skeletal finger covered with friction skin. It is made up of three bones.
a. Basal or proximal phalange – it is located at the base of the finger nearest the
palm.
b. Middle phalange = the next and above the basal done.
c. Terminal phalange = the particular bone covered with friction skin, having all
the different types of fingerprint patterns and it is located near the tip of the
finger.
 INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE
Friction Skin – is an epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of
the hands and feet covered with ridges and furrows. It is also called as papillary skin.

Components of the Friction Skin

1. Ridge surface
a. Ridge – the elevated or hill like structure/ the black lines with tiny white
dots.
b. Furrow – the depressed or canal like structure/ the white space between
ridges.
2. Sweat pores – the tiny opening/ the tiny white dots.
3. Sweat duct – the passage way.
4. Sweat glands – the producers of sweat.

Fundamental Layers of the Friction Skin

1. Epidermis – the outermost layer
a. Stratum Corneum,
b. Stratum mucosum
c. Dermis – the inner layer containing the blood vessel, dermal papillae, various
glands and nerves.

Ridge Formation – (Ridges starts to form in the fingers and thumb during the 3rd to
4th months of the fetus life.)
Dermal Papillae = are irregular pegs composed of delicate connective tissue protruding
and forming the ridges of the skin on the fingers, palms, toes and soles of the feet.

Ridge Destruction – destruction of the friction skin can either be temporary or

permanent. Generally temporary destruction occur when only the epidermis layer of the
friction skin has been damage, while permanent damage can be injected to the friction
skin due to damage to the dermis layer.

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